Luisa is charged with violating a criminal law that prohibits making false statements to government...

Under the ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual discussion of false statements and false claims involving government agencies, the prosecution must establish specific statutory elements to obtain a conviction. Generally, the government must prove that the defendant knowingly and willfully made or used a false statement or document, that the statement was false, that the defendant knew of its falsity, and that the false statement was material. Materiality means that the statement had the natural tendency or capability of influencing the decision of the governmental agency.

Importantly, the government is not required to prove that it actually relied upon the false statement or that it suffered a loss as a result. The offense is complete once a materially false statement is knowingly made within the jurisdiction of a government agency. Actual reliance or damages are not necessary elements.

Therefore, while materiality, knowledge of falsity, and the making of the false statement are essential components of the offense, proof that the government relied on the statement is not required. For purposes of CFE examination preparation, it is critical to distinguish between materiality and reliance, as they are not synonymous under federal false statement statutes.